Multiple Seal Drawstring Trash Bag

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes various embodiments of a drawstring bag. The drawstring bag is generally constructed from a first panel and a second panel continuously joined along a first side edge, a bottom, and a second side edge with the top of the panels generally defining the open top of the bag. The bags feature drawstrings extending along the open top of the bag. The drawstrings may exhibit elastic-like properties or be manufactured of elastic materials. First and second short seals anchor the ends of the drawstrings to the sides of the bag. 
     In certain embodiments, the present invention will have one or more reduced opening seals proximate to the short seals. The reduced opening seals are generally opposite the side edges of the bag with respect to the short seals. The reduced opening seals may be substantially oval in shape. Furthermore, the reduced opening seals may be vertically oriented with the sides of the bag or oriented at an angle to the sides. In certain preferred embodiments, the reduced opening seals will be oriented at an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees to the sides, with 15 degrees from vertical being preferred, and the reduced opening seals can be oriented outward or inward.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements in the construction andmanufacture of plastic bags. In particular, the present inventionrelates to improvements in the construction and manufacture ofdrawstring trash bags.

2. Description of the Related Art

Plastic bags are ubiquitous in modern society, available in differentcombinations of capacity, thickness, dimensions and color. Plastic bagsmay be used for product packaging, long-term storage of goods, foodstorage, and trash collection among many other uses. In response toconsumer demand, manufacturers of plastic bags have developedinnovative, new technology over the years to improve the utility andperformance of polymeric bags. The present invention described herein isone such improvement and is of particular relevance to drawstring trashbags.

Drawstring trash bags are a popular alternative to twist-tie or flappedtrash bags. As the name suggests, drawstring bags incorporatedrawstrings into the bag design. In a typical drawstring trash bag knownin the prior art, a pair of drawstrings are enclosed within hems runningalong the opening of the trash bag. The ends of the drawstrings arephysically joined to the bag by seals welding the drawstrings to thepanels of the bag allowing users to pull the drawstrings through theaccess cut-outs in the respective hems. The pulled drawstrings may thenbe tied together to securely close the bag while also providing aconvenient handle for carrying the bag.

Despite their utility, traditional drawstring trash bags still sufferfrom certain disadvantages. For example, when a traditional drawstringtrash bag is placed onto a receptacle with the top of the drawstringtrash bag pulled over the upper rim of the receptacle, a traditionaldrawstring trash bag does not offer any means to secure the bag inplace. Consequently, when trash is placed into the receptacle, the forceon the bag as the trash falls into the bag and the overall weight of thetrash already in the bag tends to pull the sides of traditionaldrawstring trash bags into the trash can. Therefore, it would bedesirable to offer an alternative to traditional drawstring trash bagsknown in the art so as to provide a means for securing the bag over atrash receptacle.

Solutions to the problem of securing the bag on the trash receptaclehave generally focused on the use of elastic materials for thedrawstrings, or drawstrings which otherwise exhibit elastic-likeproperties. In some solutions, the elastic drawstrings are used incombination with multiple seals to provide a reduced opening bag. Thepresent invention expands on these solutions by identifying new andadvantageous solutions to the multiple seals for reducing the opening ofa drawstring trash bag.

In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide an elasticdrawstring trash bag that is similar in configuration to a traditionaldrawstring bag. Specifically, it would be advantageous to provide anelastic drawstring trash bag where the elastic drawstring could bepulled through the centrally-located cut-out holes at the top of the bagrather than the upper corners of the drawstring bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses various embodiments of a drawstringbag. The drawstring bags are constructed from a first panel and a secondpanel. The first panel and the second panel are continuously joinedalong a first side edge, a bottom, and a second side edge of therespective first and second panels. The top of the respective first andsecond panels generally define the open top of the bags.

The various embodiments feature a first hem extending along the open topof the bag from the first side edge to the second side edge of the firstpanel while a second hem extends along the open top of the bag from thefirst side edge to the second side edge of the second panel. A firstdrawstring is disposed within the first hem and a second drawstring isdisposed within the second hem.

The various embodiments of the present invention will have a first shortseal welding the first panel, the second panel, the first drawstring,and the second drawstring together. The first short seal is locatedadjacent to the first side edge of the bag. Similarly, certainembodiments of the present invention will also have a second short sealwelding the first panel, the second panel, the first drawstring, and thesecond drawstring together. This second short seal is generally locatedadjacent to the second side edge.

Some embodiments of the present invention will also have a first reducedopening seal proximate to the first short seal. The first reducedopening seal is generally opposite the first side edge with respect tothe first short seal. In certain embodiments, the first reduced openingseal will be substantially oval in shape. The first reduced opening sealmay also be vertically oriented with the first side edge of the bag ororiented at an angle to the first side edge of the bag. In certainpreferred embodiments, the first reduced opening seal will be orientedat an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees to the first side edge of thebag with an angle of 15 degrees from vertical being preferred. In someembodiments, the first reduced opening seal will be oriented outwardfrom vertical while in other embodiments, the first reduced opening sealwill be oriented inward from vertical.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will also have asecond reduced opening seal proximate to the second short seal. Thesecond reduced opening seal is generally opposite the second side edgewith respect to the second short seal. In certain embodiments, thesecond reduced opening seal will be substantially oval in shape. Thesecond reduced opening seal may also be vertically oriented with thesecond side edge of the bag or oriented at an angle to the second sideedge of the bag. In certain preferred embodiments, the second reducedopening seal will be oriented at an angle of between 10 and 45 degreesto the second side edge of the bag with an angle of 15 degrees fromvertical being preferred. In some embodiments, the second reducedopening seal will be oriented outward from vertical while in otherembodiments, the second reduced opening seal will be oriented inwardfrom vertical.

In many, but not all, embodiments, the first drawstring and the seconddrawstring may exhibit elastic-like properties or be manufactured withelastic polymeric materials.

It is contemplated that the present invention may be utilized in waysthat are not fully described or set forth herein. The present inventionis intended to encompass these additional uses to the extent such usesare not contradicted by the appended claims. Therefore, the presentinvention should be given the broadest reasonable interpretation in viewof the present disclosure, the accompanying figures, and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

A full and complete understanding of the present invention may beobtained by reference to the detailed description of the presentinvention and preferred embodiment when viewed with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings can be briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 provides an elevation view of a drawstring trash bag ascontemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides an enlarged view of the upper corner of a drawstringtrash bag as contemplated by one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides an enlarged view of the upper corner of a drawstringtrash bag as contemplated by another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 provides an enlarged view of the upper corner of a drawstringtrash bag as contemplated by an additional embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 provides an enlarged view of the upper corner of a drawstringtrash bag as contemplated by yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 provides an enlarged view of the upper corner of a drawstringtrash bag as contemplated by a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure illustrates one or more preferred embodiments ofthe present invention. It is not intended to provide an illustration orencompass all embodiments contemplated by the present invention. In viewof the disclosure of the present invention contained herein, a personhaving ordinary skill in the art will recognize that innumerablemodifications and insubstantial changes may be incorporated or otherwiseincluded within the present invention without diverging from the spiritof the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the present inventionis not limited to those embodiments disclosed herein. The appendedclaims are intended to more fully and accurately encompass the inventionto the fullest extent possible, but it is fully appreciated that certainlimitations on the use of particular terms is not intended toconclusively limit the scope of protection.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, an elevation view of a drawstring trashbag 100 is provided as contemplated by one embodiment of the presentinvention. In combination with FIG. 1, FIG. 2 provides an enlarged viewof an upper corner of the same drawstring trash bag 100 to provide abetter understanding of certain embodiments of a drawstring trash bag100 as contemplated by the present invention. The depicted drawstringtrash bag 100 is constructed from a first panel 102 and a second panel104 of polyethylene which is joined along the first side edge 106, thesecond side edge 108 and the bottom 110 of the respective first andsecond panel 102 and 104.

The drawstring trash bag 100 as depicted would generally be manufacturedusing the same processes currently utilized in the industry. Morespecifically, drawstring trash bags are typically manufactured using ablown-film extrusion process as well-understood by a person havingordinary skill in the art. In the blown-film extrusion process, thedrawstring trash bag 100 is formed from a flattened polymeric tube. Thebottom 110 is typically defined by a folded edge of the flattened tube.The first and second side seals 126 and 128 are provided proximate tothe side edges 106 and 108 of the bag 100. The side seals 126 and 128are generally linear, spaced inward from the respective side edges 106and 108 and extend the entire length of the bag 100. While this is thepreferred method of manufacture, a person of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize that other methods of manufacture may be used incombination with the present invention.

The depicted drawstring trash bag 100 is provided with a firstdrawstring 120 enclosed within the first hem 116 and a second drawstring122 enclosed within the second hem 118. To form the respective hems 116and 118, portions of the first panel 102 and second panel 104 are foldedover the respective drawstrings 120 and 122. A hem seal 114 is thencreated to weld the first panel 102 to form the first hem 116.Similarly, another hem seal 114 is created to weld the second panel 104thereby forming the second hem 118. The respective hems 116 and 118 willthen contain the drawstrings 120 and 122, but the ends of drawstrings120 and 122 must be anchored to the upper corners of the drawstringtrash bag 100 to make the drawstrings useful.

To anchor the drawstrings 120 and 122 to the upper corners of thedrawstring trash bag 100, a first short seal 130 is provided in thefirst upper corner with a second short seal 132 provided in the secondupper corner of the drawstring bag. The short seals 130 and 132 weld thedrawstrings 120 and 122 and the panels 102 and 104 together. The shortseals 130 and 132 must generally be strong enough to securely hold theends of drawstrings 120 and 122 while a consumer pulls the drawstrings120 and 122 through the centrally-located access cut-outs 124. As thedrawstrings 120 and 122 are pulled through the centrally-located accesscut-outs 124, the upper opening of the drawstring trash bag 100 closes,securing the trash and debris within the bag 100.

FIGS. 1 and 2 further depict a first reduced opening seal 134 and asecond reduced opening seal 136 as contemplated by one embodiment of thepresent invention. In the depicted embodiment the reduced opening seals134 and 136 are located in the hem regions 116 and 118, welding thedrawstrings 120 and 122 and panels 102 and 104 together in a similarmanner as the short seals 130 and 132. The first reduced opening seal134 is located proximate but inward from the first short seal 130.Similarly, the second reduced opening seal 136 is located proximate butinward from the second short seal 132. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst and second reduced opening seals 134 and 136 are generally oval inshape.

Looking now at FIG. 3, another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in twoaspects. First, the linear side seal 126 of the previous embodiment isreplaced with a wider side seal 226 which extends from the side edge 106of the bag inward. Additionally, the depicted embodiment features afirst reduced opening seal 134 which is angled. In the depictedembodiment, the oval-shaped first reduced opening seal 134 can beoriented in any desired direction from zero degrees, vertically, to 90degrees, or a horizontal orientation. An orientation of approximately 10to 45 degrees from vertical is generally desirable with 15 degrees fromvertical orientation being preferred. The orientation can be eitheroutward, wherein the upper portion of the first reduced opening iscloser to the first side edge than the lower portion of the firstreduced opening seal as depicted in FIG. 3, or inward, wherein the upperportion of the first reduced opening is farther from the first reducedopening than the lower portion of the first reduced opening seal asdepicted in FIG. 4. The orientation of the oval-shaped first reducedopening seal 134 rotated 15 degrees from vertical outward is preferred,especially when combined with a drawstring having elastic properties. Inparticular, it has been found that the stretch curve of an elasticdrawstring can be enhanced by controlling the height, width, andorientation of the reduced opening seal 134. This results in adrawstring trash bag 100 with an elastic drawstring that is comfortableto use and, more importantly, will typically grip the top of a trashreceptacle when placed over the receptacle.

FIG. 5 depicts an additional embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5depicts a drawstring trash bag 100 with a reduced opening seal 134 aspreviously described. However, in FIG. 5, the reduced opening seal 134is quadrilateral in shape. The seal is generally oriented at an outwardangle. This embodiment illustrates that the present invention isintended to encompass numerous different configurations and shapes forthe reduced opening seal 134 beyond what is explicitly depicted herein.Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may incorporatereduced opening seals 134 which may be either concave or convex, havestraight or curved sides, and may have an area within the outermostboundary of the reduced opening seal which is not sealed.

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment similar to that depicted in FIG. 3 asthe reduced opening seal 134 is substantially oval in shape. However,the reduced opening seal 134 of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6contains an unsealed area within the boundaries of the reduced openingseal 134. In the depicted embodiment, the reduced opening seal 134 formsa closed loop with substantially uniform width. This configuration maybe advantageous in certain instances by providing a more reliable seal.While FIGS. 3 to 6 depict only the first reduced opening seal 134, it iscontemplated that the same principles and definitions may be equallyapplied to the second reduced opening seal 136.

As previously noted, the specific embodiments depicted herein are notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, it iscontemplated that any number of different embodiments may be utilizedwithout diverging from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, theappended claims are intended to more fully encompass the full scope ofthe present invention.

1. A drawstring bag comprising: a bag comprising a first panel and asecond panel, the first panel and the second panel continuously joinedalong a first side edge, a bottom, and a second side edge of therespective first and second panels, the top of the respective first andsecond panels generally defining the open top of the bag, a first hemextending along the open top of the bag from the first side edge to thesecond side edge of the first panel, a second hem extending along theopen top of the bag from the first side edge to the second side edge ofthe second panel, a first drawstring disposed within the first hem and asecond drawstring disposed within the second hem, a first short sealwelding the first panel, the second panel, the first drawstring, and thesecond drawstring together, the first short seal located adjacent to thefirst side edge, a second short seal welding the first panel, the secondpanel, the first drawstring, and the second drawstring together, thesecond short seal located adjacent to the second side edge, and a firstreduced opening seal proximate to the first short seal.
 2. Thedrawstring bag of claim 1, further comprising: the first reduced openingseal being substantially oval in shape.
 3. The drawstring bag of claim1, further comprising: the first reduced opening seal being verticallyoriented with the first side edge of the bag.
 4. The drawstring bag ofclaim 1, further comprising: the first reduced opening seal beingoriented at an angle to the first side edge of the bag.
 5. Thedrawstring bag of claim 4, further comprising: the first reduced openingseal being oriented at an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees to thefirst side edge of the bag.
 6. The drawstring bag of claim 5, furthercomprising: the first reduced opening seal being oriented at an angle of15 degrees from vertical.
 7. The drawstring bag of claim 5, furthercomprising: the first reduced opening seal being oriented outward fromvertical.
 8. The drawstring bag of claim 5, further comprising: thefirst reduced opening seal being oriented inward from vertical.
 9. Thedrawstring bag of claim 1, further comprising: a second reduced openingseal proximate to the second short seal.
 10. The drawstring bag of claim1, further comprising: the second reduced opening seal beingsubstantially oval in shape.
 11. The drawstring bag of claim 1, furthercomprising: the second reduced opening seal being vertically orientedwith the second side edge of the bag.
 12. The drawstring bag of claim 1,further comprising: the second reduced opening seal being oriented at anangle to the second side edge of the bag.
 13. The drawstring bag ofclaim 4, further comprising: the second reduced opening seal beingoriented at an angle of between 10 and 45 degrees to the second sideedge of the bag.
 14. The drawstring bag of claim 5, further comprising:the second reduced opening seal being oriented at an angle of 15 degreesfrom vertical.
 15. The drawstring bag of claim 5, further comprising:the second reduced opening seal being oriented outward from vertical.16. The drawstring bag of claim 5, further comprising: the secondreduced opening seal being oriented inward from vertical.
 17. Thedrawstring bag of claim 1, further comprising: the first drawstringexhibits elastic-like properties.
 18. The drawstring bag of claim 17,further comprising: the first drawstring is manufactured from elasticmaterials.
 19. The drawstring bag of claim 17, further comprising: thesecond drawstring exhibits elastic-like properties.
 20. The drawstringbag of claim 19, further comprising: the first drawstring ismanufactured from elastic materials, and the second drawstringmanufactured from elastic materials.
 21. The drawstring bag of claim 1,further comprising: the first reduced opening seal having an unsealedarea located within the first reduced opening seal.
 22. The drawstringbag of claim 1, further comprising: the first reduced opening seal beingsubstantially oval in shape,